Oscar Villarreal | Relief Pitcher

Latest News

Recent News

Villarreal, 31, had a 4.44 ERA in 14 appearances with Triple-A Pawtucket. Brandon Workman has been promoted to replace him on the Triple-A roster. Wed, Jun 5, 2013 02:15:00 PM

Red Sox signed RHP Oscar Villarreal to a minor league contract.

The deal includes a spring training invite. Villarreal, 31, hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2008 and spent last season with the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate. He's likely to serve as organizational depth. Mon, Dec 3, 2012 04:34:00 PM

Oscar Villarreal is back in Orioles' camp Thursday after attending to some immigration paperwork on Wednesday.

Villareal signed a minor league deal with the Orioles in January after spending last season between the Mexican League and the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate. The 30-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2008 and is doubtful to make the Opening Day roster. Thu, Mar 1, 2012 10:39:00 AM

Oscar Villareal missed Orioles' camp on Wednesday so that he could attend to some immigration paperwork.

It's not clear when he'll return. Villareal, who signed a minor league deal with the O's over the winter, hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2008 as a member of the Astros. He's likely to serve as minor league fodder. Wed, Feb 29, 2012 03:13:00 PM

Player News

The deal includes a spring training invite. Villarreal, 31, hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2008 and spent last season with the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate. He's likely to serve as organizational depth.

Oscar Villarreal is back in Orioles' camp Thursday after attending to some immigration paperwork on Wednesday.

Villareal signed a minor league deal with the Orioles in January after spending last season between the Mexican League and the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate. The 30-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2008 and is doubtful to make the Opening Day roster.

Oscar Villareal missed Orioles' camp on Wednesday so that he could attend to some immigration paperwork.

It's not clear when he'll return. Villareal, who signed a minor league deal with the O's over the winter, hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2008 as a member of the Astros. He's likely to serve as minor league fodder.

The deal includes an invitation to spring training, where the right-handed reliever will try for a spot in the Dodgers' Opening Day bullpen. Villarreal had a 4.40 ERA and 1.40 WHIP at Triple-A this past season.

Updating a previous report, Villarreal will not be invited to major league camp, as he is still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Villarreal, 28, last posted a 5.02 ERA in 37 2/3 innings in his last healthy season with the Astros in 2008, but boasts a 3.86 career ERA.

Villarreal's fastball was clocked between 89 and 90 MPH, which is pretty impressive considering he's just nine months removed from Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old right-hander is hoping to score a minor league contract and a camp invite before spring training gets underway. He had a 5.02 ERA in 37 2/3 innings back in 2008, his last healthy season.

Free agent right-hander Oscar Villarreal will throw for scouts next Friday in an attempt to find a job.

The 28-year-old had a fantastic rookie year for Arizona back in 2003 at age 21, but injuries and attrition have set him back. For the Royals in 2009, Villarreal was plagued by a sore elbow in spring training and did not play professionally. He was last sighted in 2008 with Houston, tossing 37 2/3 frames for a 5.02 ERA.

Royals signed RHP Oscar Villarreal to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Villarreal coaxed the Astros into giving him a two-year, $2.9 million deal last winter, but was let go months later and then struggled at Triple-A after signing a minor league contract with the Rockies. He'll get $400,000 from the Royals if he makes the team, plus the $1.6 million he's still owed by the Astros.

Oscar Villarreal allowed one hit over five scoreless innings Friday in his first start of Mexicali of the MPL.

Villarreal was let go by the Astros just three months into a two-year contract and finished the season in the Rockies' farm system. Since any team that carries him next year would only have to pay him the minimum salary, he figures to be quite popular as a free agent this winter.

Rockies signed RHP Oscar Villarreal to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

The Astros designated Villarreal for assignment in July, just three months after inking him to a two-year, $2.85 million deal. He had a 5.02 ERA with just 21 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings for the 'Stros this season.

Depth Charts

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times mentioned Blake Swihart as a possible trade target for the Rays.

The Rays were known to be interested in Jason Castro before he signed a three-year, $24.5 million deal with Minnesota earlier this month. With Castro off the market, the Rays are likely to explore trade options at catcher. One possibility is Swihart, who could be expendable now that Sandy Leon has emerged as Boston's everyday catcher. Swihart was playing left field when he hurt his ankle last season, though the Red Sox claim he'll enter spring training as a catcher.

Updating an earlier report, the Giants have not discussed trading for Pablo Sandoval, according to MLB.com's Chris Haft.

Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald reported Friday that the Giants were considering trying to acquire Sandoval from the Red Sox but Haft said that isn't the case. The Giants are content with starting Eduardo Nunez at third base and are focused on upgrading at closer. GM Bobby Evans confirmed that Sandoval is not on the team's radar. "I’m not aware of any consideration of a reunion, but we’ll never forget all that he meant to the Giants organization," said Evans. Coming off shoulder surgery, Sandoval will presumably compete with Travis Shaw and Brock Holt for the starting job third base job in Boston this spring.

Mookie Betts underwent a successful right knee arthroscopy, chondroplasty and a loose body removal on Thursday.

Betts battled soreness in the knee throughout the second half, making his .338/.388/.547 batting line with 13 home runs and 54 RBI after the break all the more impressive. He's expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training, although it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Red Sox ease him into things.

Workman missed the entire 2016 season while rehabbing from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. He should be ready for the start of spring training in 2017, but the 28-year-old right-hander is going to have to prove himself worthy of a spot in the Boston bullpen.

Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday that Carson Smith (elbow) could be ready by June 1 next year.

Smith underwent Tommy John surgery back in May, so the Red Sox are aiming for his return at a little over 12 months. The 27-year-old reliever owns a dominant 2.00 ERA and 104/26 K/BB ratio in 81 career innings and could be quite the weapon if he comes back healthy, but regaining full strength can often take closer to 15 months.